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Lyrics of Songs and Poetry in Contemporary Indigenous

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Lyrics of Songs and Poetry in Contemporary Indigenous University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh LYRICS OF SONGS AND POETRY IN CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS MISSION THEOLOGY: AN ANALYSIS OF THE WORKS OF SIX GHANAIANS BY FELICITY APAAH 10007524 THIS THESIS IS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF PHD STUDY OF RELIGIONS DEGREE. JULY 2018 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DECLARATION I, the undersigned, hereby declare that this thesis is my own original research work carried out in the Department for the Study of Religions, University of Ghana, under the supervision of Rev. Fr. Dr. George Ossom-Batsa and Prof. Gilbert Ansre. .................................................................... ............................... FELICITY APAAH DATE (STUDENT) ................................................................... .................................. REV. FR. DR. GEORGE OSSOM-BATSA DATE (PRINCIPAL SUPERVISOR) ................................................................ .................................. REV. PROF. GILBERT ANSRE DATE (SUPERVISOR) ii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ABSTRACT Christian indigenous literary texts, particularly, songs and poetry, form a central component of Ghanaian Christianity. These songs and poetry are not just literary texts but theology in action that express the religious understanding and reflections of a people. They function as a vehicle for proclaiming the Gospel and the rudiments of Christian life outside the usual rubrics of Western missiology. This study examines these indigenous literary texts as sources of African Christian epistemology. It also investigates the Gospel of Christ as a source of inspiration for creativity among indigenous composers as well as the relevance of indigenous knowledge to indigenous mission theology. The study employs Holladay’s model for theological reflection which holds that there are some distinctive elements that inform and shape theological reflections. The research is also aligned with the interpretive paradigm; within which much research activity is centered on the relationship between socially engendered concept formation, language and the belief that understanding human experiences is as important as focusing on explanation, prediction, and control. Data were collected through purposive sampling of song lyrics and poetic texts, the narrative method, focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews and participant observation. The work examines the literary texts of six indigenous composers; two Catholics, two Mainline Protestants of the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches and two Pentecostals. All six composers operate within their cultural contexts, address specific issues from their background and have made significant impact on their church traditions. The study revealed that Christian indigenous literary texts are an effective tool for mission among predominantly oral communities. Especially in oral societies, where iii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh people cannot read and write, the involuntary and voluntary learning of songs enables Ghanaians to memorize passages of scripture and also to utilize them at deeper levels of meaning. In addition, the songs and poetry function as a means of spiritual formation and incarnation of the meaning of the gospel. Moreover, these songs and poetic texts are an effective tool for redefining and shaping the identity of the individual believer and the community of Christians as a whole. Furthermore, the study established that indigenous concepts employed by the composers offer possibilities of fresh knowledge and new perspectives of the Christian faith. Equally important to this study is the contributions of the composers to indigenous mission theology. These include concepts of God and the theology of suffering. Notwithstanding the contributions highlighted above, the study also revealed some challenges endangering indigenous mission theology. This includes a fallen standard of knowledge of indigenous languages among urban dwellers, especially the second and third generation urban dwellers. This is problematic because of the profound implications of language loss, which includes the loss of cultural identity, heritage and the dignity of a people. Evidently, this has an adverse effect on societal development and individual empowerment. Thus, it is important for indigenous composers to continue to utilize the vernacular in their compositions to enhance the learning and growth of the indigenous languages. This has positive implications for Ghanaian Christianity and the society as a whole. It is hoped that the examples of the composers will inspire the creativity of future indigenous composers; thus, contributing to indigenous Christian thinking. Ultimately, the study contributes to African Christian epistemology. Keywords: Theology, Knowledge, Indigenous, Songs, Mission iv University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to the memory of Rev. Joseph Yedu Bannerman (1924-2016). v University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGMENT I am grateful to God for how far he has brought me from a very humble beginning. Indeed, I made it through my four-year doctoral research, on the wings of faith, prayer and the remarkable support of a number of people. I am indebted to my supervisors, Rev. Fr. Dr. George Ossom-Batsa and Rev. Prof. Gilbert Ansre for guiding me to crystallize my thoughts as I wrestled with ideas. I appreciate your patience, mentoring roles, working relationships and deep insights. The completion of this study is largely due to your inputs. Thanks for believing in me. There were other key persons whose contributions to this research cannot go unmentioned: Dr. G. F. Kojo Arthur and Archbishop Emeritus Peter Akwasi Sarpong, who shared their wealth of experiences with me; as well as priests, ministers and congregants of the various churches I visited, for welcoming me among them and their willing engagement with me, as a researcher. The Head, Faculty and Administrative Staff of the Department for the Study of Religions, University of Ghana, you listened attentively on many occasions to my musings on this topic and gave your inputs. Thank you for your support. I particularly, wish to thank Rev. Prof. Cephas N. Omenyo, Dr. Lawrence Boakye, Dr. Nicoletta Gatti, Prof. Elizabeth Amoah, Dr. Rabiatu Ammah and Rev. Dr. A.N. O. Kwakye for their words of encouragement. My colleagues and fellow sojourners, thanks for everything. Finally, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to my family; my mum, siblings, and children. I single out my husband in particular, who read portions of the thesis at various stages and offered very helpful comments and also for accommodating my long absence from home. vi University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ........................................................................................................... ii ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................. iii DEDICATION ............................................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGMENT............................................................................................... vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................. vii LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................... xii LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................... xiii LIST OF ABBREVIATION ....................................................................................... xiv CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................ 1 TETE WϽ BI KA TETE WϽ BI KYERƐ ..................................................................... 1 (THE PAST HAS SOMETHING TO SAY AND TO TEACH) ................................... 1 1.1 Background to the study .................................................................................. 1 1.2 Statement of the problem ................................................................................ 4 1.3 Aims and objectives of the study .................................................................... 4 1.4 Research questions .......................................................................................... 5 1.5 Scope of the study ........................................................................................... 5 1.6 Existing studies ............................................................................................... 7 1.6.1 Definitions and terminologies ................................................................ 11 1.6.2 Indigenous mission theology ................................................................. 14 1.6.3 Constructs of indigenous mission theology ........................................... 16 vii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 1.7. Conceptual framework .................................................................................. 18 1.8 Methodology ................................................................................................. 22 1.8.1 Research philosophy .............................................................................. 22 1.8.2 Research design ....................................................................................
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